THE INGOMA TEAM
Here's the humans who makes the magic happen
#CapeTownChoir #GoosebumpsGuaranteed
LUNATHI NCAMANI
Conductor
Lunathi is originally from East London, but has lived in Cape Town for many years. He has extensive experience leading choirs in South Africa and overseas, and is a lecturer in Choral Conducting at Stellenbosch University, where he also acquired his Bachelor of Music and is conducting research on the topic of culturally responsive teaching in choral education. He joined Ingoma as our conductor at the beginning of 2022, following the sad passing of our original conductor, Zamile Gantana, during the Covid pandemic. Lunathi recently passed two milestones - got married (to the wonderful Breezer also a great friend of Ingoma) and celebrated his 40th birthday!
AMANDA STEMELA
Alto
Amanda grew up in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, and has lived in Imizamo Yethu since she was seven years old. She has one four year old son and is a familiar face in Woolworths, Hout Bay, where she now specialises in the horticulture section. "To be in Hout Bay Ingoma Choir is a blessing to me"
ANELE MNAMATEL
Tenor & Exec Member
Founding member Anele is from a small town called Tarkastad in the Karoo. Anele is a healthcare worker supporting people with TB and HIV, and likes playing video games in his spare time. "Being part of Ingoma choir has made me found a family away from home. We build each other's self esteem."
AWETHU NDUDE
Tenor
Originally from Willowvale, Eastern Cape, Awethu found passion in music since a very young age. He has a close family and is the fourth of five sibling. He works as as a security guard, loves watching and playing football, and joined Ingoma in 2022. "Being part of this family has been a life-changing game for me! I am staying!"
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BATHOBELE MAKUBALO
Tenor
Bathobele was born and raised in Nyanga East just outside Cape Town, though has family roots in Willowvale Eastern Cape. Raised by a single parent, he matriculated from Oscar Mpetha High School in Western Cape. Passionate about music from a young age, Bathobele engaged in singing at school and local choirs like Khulani, Melodies of Joy, His Favor, and Highest Praise. Discovered Ingoma Choir during a performance they did Cape Town airport in 2022 while working there - he did an on the spot audition and was accepted into the choir there and then! Bathobele says " I don't love the choir only for the singing - I found brothers, sisters, parents and an amazing teacher. I'm in a safe and creative atmosphere which gives me energy. Other hobbies include cooking, and marketing a side hustle business named iKota yethu, specialising in selling Kasi food. Works as a station marshall at MyCiti bus stations.
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CIKIZWA NDUDE
Alto
Cikizwa is one of the newest members of Ingoma. Originally from Willowvale, Eastern Cape she is the mother of two sons, She is currently unemployed, but has a home-based care qualification. "I like Ingoma for teamwork, respect and support - it's already my second family."
EMIHLE MJACU
Alto
The baby of the choir - just 18 years old and completing grade 12 in Silikamva High school. Originally from Cofimvaba, Eastern Cap, she loves to cook and read, and - of course - sing! "I'm a sore loser - I always see myself on the winning side and never settle for less!" Sadly Emihle recently lost her mom to cancer, but lives with her father and two sisters in Imizamo Yethu.
JACO DEPORT
Director of Ingoma Foundation
Jaco is a long-term resident of Hout Bay and has been involved with several community organisations. A serial entrepreneur and founder of Pangea language training, he is more often to be found these days driving a tractor on his wife's organic veggie farm off Valley Road, Meuse Farm. Having supported the choir from its inception, and being a valuable source of wisdom and advice, he was invited to become a Director when the Ingoma Foundation NPC was formed in 2020.
LUBABALO SIPENDU
Bass
Raised in the Eastern Cape, Luba completed his matric at Silikamva High School in Imizamo Yethu and went on to study Hospitality and Catering Services at Northlink College and Hospitality Management at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Lubabalo is currently a chef at the Hussar Grill, one of Cape Town's best loved restaurants.
"Ingoma allows you to be yourself, it is like a second home to me."
Outside of the choir and work he likes to play baseball and keep fit.
LUTHANDO NKONZOMBI
Tenor
Luthando has been with Ingoma since early days as a valued tenor. He works at Constantia Glen wine farm.
LUTHANDO STOKWE
Baritone / Bass
Luthando is a founding member of Ingoma, and grew up in Cala village in Eastern Cape. He a trained chef but currently works as a petrol attendant at Engen. Other hobbies include soccer. "What I like about Ingoma choir is we love each other - we are family - and I grow in music"
MANDISA QWESHA
Soprano & Exec Member
Mandisa is a musical all-rounder, able to sing, dance and play instruments, including the djembe (drum) which accompanies some of our songs. As a talented choreographer she is a Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Amoyo Foundation, a brilliant after-school dance programme and well-established non-profit organisation in the Bay. Born and raised in Cape Town, she joined Ingoma Choir in September 2021. "My first love is music and I love to listen to all genres of music. Ingoma is my first 'professional' singing and is where I found my 'first soprano' voice". Mandisa is also a key asset to our Exec team, including organising transport to all our events.
MASIBULELE MATSHINGA
Tenor
Masi was born in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, but moved several times during his childhood for his father's mining job, spending several years in Free State. He's currently working at the Shell garage as a Barista but dreams of becoming a professional musician or being an Agent to promote other young talent from underprivileged communites.
MELIKHAYA LUBANGO
Bass
Melikhaya has been a member since 2019 and is originally from Idutywa, Eastern Cape. With a stunningly rich and deep bass voice he is a key pillar of our backline! Melikhaya has limited vision which makes full time work difficult, but his hobbies are food, singing, and telling jokes!
MPUMIE SAMPIES
Soprano
Mpumie is a mother of five and has worked for fifteen years as a parent- infant attachment counsellor. A member since 2020, with her infectious broad smile, and wise, relaxed manner, Mpumie exudes positivity and kindness. "I am so in love with Ingoma because i love music - and money-wise it is helping me a lot!"
MTHOBISI LUTHULI
Baritone / Bass
Mthobisi is originally from Kwazulu Natal but has lived in Hout Bay for many years. He works at the Spar supermarket, and recently became a father.
MZWANDILE DAKUSE
Bass, Exec Member
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NADIA MPOSI
Soprano
Nadia one of our more recent members. A committed member of her the Old Apostolic Church, she's originally fromKuGatyane in Eastern Cape. She was brought up by her grandmother, matriculated from in 2021 and is currently looking for employment. "What I like about Ingoma is that everyone is treated the same way, we respect each other and everyone is comfortable."
NANGAMSO BOOI
Soprano
Nangamso Naydia Booi is Johannesburg-born and East London-bred individua. With a National Diploma in Multimedia Technology, majoring in Graphic Design and Communications, she brings creative concepts to life as a freelancer. Passionate about Spirituality, Education, the Arts, Environmental Awareness, and Business, Nangamso has worked in various industries and in recent years, she has served as a Community Activist in Imizamo Yethu.
Coming from a musical family, Nangamso joined the Hout Bay Ingoma Choir in 2020 and is thrilled to be part of the Ingoma family. She has a gorgeous son and is about to have her second baby.
NOMA MATIWANE
Soprano
SisNoma is another founding member of Ingoma - and a "mother" to the choir! As a teaching assistant at Hout Bay International school, it was her who helped Tanya establish the links into the community to get the project off the ground. Noma has three children and is a deeply committed member of her church.
NOMTHANDAZO SITHOLE
Soprano
Thandi is another founding member and, originally from Kwazulu Natal is a trained auxillary nurse and care worker, with experience working with terminally ill patients. She has three children - and an exquisite soprano voice and a love of opera!
SANDISIWE NGUQU
Alto
Sandisiwe was born and raised in Hout Bay and works in Early Childhood Development at primary schools. "Ingoma has helped me create family and made me comfortable in my own skin." When not busy with choir and work Sandisiwe enjoys plaiting hair! She is about to have her first child.
SANELE KRISHE
Tenor, Exec Member
Sanele is a founder member of Ingoma and currently on the Exec team (again!). He is a Community Development Worker and manages Ikhaya le Themba, a well established non-profit in the community, running after-school programmes and support for some of the most vulnerable children in the township. Sanele is married with one daughter, and recently graduated as a Life Coach and Mentor.
SBONGILE NGWANE
Soprano
Sbongile is one of our lead sopranos. She graduated from CPUT and works for Woolworths.
SIPHOSETHU TYEKANA
Alto
Siphosethu - usually known just as "Sethu" - is a founding member of Ingoma and long-serving, valued Exec member. She is a graduate of marketing from CPUT and is currently training as a social worker, whilst a key employee helping to run Hout Bay United Football Club.
TANYA BLACHER
Founder, Manager, Director
Tanya moved to Cape Town from London in 2013 and quickly fell in love with its people, its landscape - and its music. Despite having no musical training or knowledge of choral, she was inspired to set up a new choir to celebrate African choral and uplift the local community. Her professional background in digital media and marketing, along with her passion and energy, proved invaluable. "My work with Ingoma is undoubtably one of my proudest achievements in my whole life! And I have so many more ideas for us, this is only the beginning!"
TANYA MICALI
Director, Ingoma Foundation
Tanya is from Johannesburg and a passionate resident of Hout Bay for the last decade or so. She works as a Wealth Manager with boutique investment consultancy K2 Capital. As an early supporter of the choir project Tanya went on to motivate K2 to sponsor some costs, and later became a valued Director of the Ingoma Foundation when the non-profit company was established.
THEMBO DUMA
Bass
Thembo, a founding member, has a beautiful deep voice, a quiet and gentle manner, and can be found manning the petrol pumps at Caltec garage. He recently became a father, and is proudly Zulu in origin.
ZUKELWA JOLOZA
Alto
Zukelwa, like fellow choir member Anele, is from the small town of Tarkastad in Eastern Cape and is also a founding member. She is well known locally as a lead waitress in the very popular Hout Bay restaurant Massimo's (awarded best pizza in Africa!). "I love Ingoma because its an escape, a break and I always have the best times with them". Zuki is the mother of a beautiful 9 year old girl, is a fashionista with a great sense of style, and likes to explore beautiful Cape Town, and far beyond.